Labour
Salaries and Labour Costs
Bulgarian pay has risen by about 10% a year, but it still starts from the lowest base in the EU. An hour of work costs employers €12.0, against €45.0 in Germany and €34.9 on average in the EU.
Hourly labour cost, 2025
Source: Eurostat: Labour cost levels by country, 2025 (lc_lci_lev)2
Net annual earnings, 2025
Source: Eurostat: Annual net earnings, 2025 (earn_nt_net)3
Pay by sector, Q2 2026
| Sector | Average gross a month |
|---|---|
| Information and communication | €3,079 |
| Finance and insurance | €2,140 |
| Electricity and gas supply | €2,036 |
| All sectors | €1,444 |
| Other services | €1,053 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | €1,031 |
| Hotels and restaurants | €918 |
Source: BTA: Average wage of €1,444 in Q2 2026 (NSI)1
Private-sector pay rose by 11.5% over the year, public-sector pay by 4.8%.1
What a salary costs
| Gross a month | Employer pays | Employee takes home |
|---|---|---|
| €1,444 (average) | about €1,717 | about €1,120 |
| €2,000 | about €2,378 | about €1,552 |
| €4,000 | about €4,435 | about €3,315 |
Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bulgaria, individual, other taxes5
Worked out with the lowest employer rate of 18.92% and the employee rate of 13.78%, both on pay up to €2,300 a month, and 10% income tax on the rest. Some sectors pay up to 0.7 points more for work-accident cover.5
Minimum wages, July 2026
Source: Eurostat: Monthly minimum wages, July 2026 (earn_mw_cur)4
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria’s average gross wage was €1,444 a month in Q2 2026, with annual wage growth of 9.8%. Private-sector pay rose by 11.5% over the year, compared with 4.8% in the public sector.
What is the minimum wage in Bulgaria in 2026?
Bulgaria’s minimum wage is €620.20 a month in 2026. Eurostat’s July 2026 comparison gives the statutory minimum wage as €620 a month, rounded to the nearest euro.
How much does labour cost per hour in Bulgaria compared with the EU?
In 2025, labour cost in Bulgaria was €12.0 per hour, compared with €34.9 across the EU. These costs include wages and employer costs per hour worked.
Which sectors pay the highest salaries in Bulgaria?
Information and communication had Bulgaria’s highest average gross monthly wage at €3,079 in Q2 2026. Finance and insurance followed at €2,140, and electricity and gas supply at €2,036.
How much of a gross salary do employees take home in Bulgaria?
For a gross monthly salary of €1,444, an employee takes home about €1,120 and the employer pays about €1,717. This estimate uses employee contributions of 13.78% and employer contributions of 18.92% on pay up to €2,300 a month, plus 10% income tax on the rest.
What are average net annual earnings in Bulgaria?
Net annual earnings in Bulgaria were €14,450 in 2025 for a single person without children earning the average wage. The comparable EU average was €29,954.
Sources
- BTA: Average wage of €1,444 in Q2 2026 (NSI)
- Eurostat: Labour cost levels by country, 2025 (lc_lci_lev)
- Eurostat: Annual net earnings, 2025 (earn_nt_net)
- Eurostat: Monthly minimum wages, July 2026 (earn_mw_cur)
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Bulgaria, individual, other taxes
Figures checked 13 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
